I’ve tried to get something out live blogging posts for the past few years and have finally decided that they are worthless. In the past, I’ve even live-blogged events, trying desperately to offer value where I found none.
However, as I prepare to go to another tech conference, I’m wondering (aloud I suppose) if I’m the only one who finds the typical disjointed, rambling liveblogging posts are of any real value to offsite readers? I know that when I see an entry in my RSS that looks to be a diary of a tech event, I immediately ‘mark as read’ and move on.
What about you..? Is liveblogging worth the effort for the blogger? Is it a bore, or of value, to the reader?
I always skip the liveblogs too – they have little value for me as a blogger or a techie-type.
Another strand of my thoughts on this is that there is something rather impolite about sitting in on someone else’s presentation with a laptop open – how can you be paying full attention to the presenter? If you are concentrating on the presenter, how can you be producing good work on the laptop? My personal view is that just as you would turn off mobiles in the theatre, you should turn off electronic equipment in a conference. Taking notes with a pen and paper is different somehow – its quieter, for one thing!
Perhaps it’s a cultural thing – or a generational one?
I take notes on my laptop, but I’m not sure I would if I weren’t planning on liveblogging or in some way, posting about the event. A notebook does seem to be less distracting.
Having just covered IDF from the other side of the world I can say yes, please do more live blogging everyone.
I’ve also done the liveblogging myself (press conferences from CeBIT) and found the experience efficient and focusing.
Steve.
Steve,
I just can’t follow live blogging posts. They seem to ramble so (like personal notes) that I don’t get a thing from them. I’m sure if I was an attendee that would be different, but then I’d likely not be reading live blogged posts…
Perhaps I have an odd learning style. I think I am a visual learner. Maybe that’s my problem…
They can be good or bad. I look at them as a form of publishing that may or may not express the content or meaning of the presenter. A lot will depend on the blogger, but if I’m not at an event I would prefer to read a commentary later that has been thought about by someone I respect, either because that person is a good reporter or that person has a viewpoint that I want to hear about.
(I wonder if this discussion seems a bit sophomoric to professional journalists?)
Yes, it probably does seem sophomoric to them, as they wouldn’t just ramble out a post that isn’t helpful. Then, if people liked what they are doing then I suppose they’d be more popular. 😉
I like the new picture! Maybe some day I’ll see what you really look like!
Soon I hope. You got any upcoming travel plans? I’m going to SOBCon in Chicago next month.